This frame measures 10 x 20 3/4" (25.4 x 52.7cm) and comes with a fitted hanging wire. It was printed on Epson Photo Paper.
Stunning and beautiful, delicate and vibrant, this framed print is a contemporary reflection on one of the foundations of the Christianity in the ancient, indigenous art of the British Isles, which can be traced back to the Celtic peoples the Roman invaders called Pictii. The illuminated lettering style used here is from the 7th century Lindisfarne Gospels whilst the knotwork border which decorates the surrounding mount is taken from designs found in Perthshire, Scotland and 9th century Book of Kells.
'Faith', is the first of the three cardinal virtues, and found throughout the Bible. In chapter 11, the writer of the Book of Hebrews tells us that 'faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.'
'Hope', the second of the three virtues, is also found throughout the Bible because hope is so foundational for us all, for without it, our lives become meaningless and without security. Many of us put our hope in our studies, our jobs, income, relationships, a pension fund or a private health insurance yet none of these are guaranteed to provide us with that security we need. In Jeremiah 29:11, God encourages us to hope in him, saying 'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.' When our hope is in him, who knows us so intimately and cares for us so tenderly, we can have peace.
'Love' is the last and greatest of the three cardinal virtues. 'God is love' the Bible tells us and so naturally this thread runs throughout the Bible. In 1 Corinthians 13, St Paul writes what must be one of the most beautiful of the ancient texts on love:
'If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love,
I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.
If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge,
and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.
If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails.
But where there are prophecies, they will cease;
where there are tongues, they will be stilled;
where there is knowledge, it will pass away.
For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears.
When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child.
When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me.
For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face.
Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.'
The artwork would make a beautiful and timeless gift for anyone appreciative of traditional Celtic art and Scripture.
The three original artworks were created using:
Canson 1557 180gsm
Winsor & Newton inks
Daley Rowney Artists GRAPHIC B and F grades
Winton fine hog
Rowney nylon '0'
Pro Arte Series B Hog, Series 22 Hog varnish